Nurse Aide Training Program

• Basic reading and writing in the English language and basic math skills in the English language are required to perform the nurse aide role. Applicants to the NATCEP are responsible to self-report their ability to read, write, and do basic math.
• Age 16 years or older (by the first day of class)
• Verification of PA residency (signed and dated)
• Attestation of Compliance with Act 14 (all checkboxes signed and dated)
• Completed Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Record Information Report (FBI Report if applicant is out of state or lived in PA less than two years)
• Health Examination Form to certify that applicant is free from communicable diseases and can meet the physical demands of the nurse aide job which require full use of hands, ability to stand for extended periods, bend, pull, push, and lift a minimum of 40 pounds without restriction.
• Immunizations: Flu shot, COVID and Hepatitis B are strongly encouraged. There are no required vaccines.
• TB test: Documentation of a negative QuantiFERON TB Gold test or a 2-step Mantoux TB skin test is required and must be completed within one year prior to the start date of the NATCEP course.
• Drug Screen: Documentation of a negative urine drug screen is required. Applicants can obtain a drug screen through Concentra.

• Interest Form: Complete this form FIRST to express your interest in registering for the course. No one is accepted into the course until all required forms are submitted. Course fee is due once you have been accepted into the program and before the first day of class. Find Interest Form here. You will be contacted by email once this online form is completed.
• Verification of PA State Residency: Completion of the “Verification of Residency for Enrollment into a Nurse Aide Training Program” form is required to verify state residency in Pennsylvania for the last two years prior to enrolling in the nurse aide training program. The form can be found at this link: Verification of Residency. Upload this completed form and your current PA driver's license to secure upload.
• Attestation of Compliance with Act 14: Applicants must sign an “Attestation of Compliance with Act 14” and must check the box stating they have not been convicted of any prohibitive offenses. The “Attestation of Compliance with Act 14” form can be found here (you may need to scroll down on website to find the form): Attestation of PA Act 14. Upload this completed form to secure upload.
• PA Criminal History Record Information (CHRI): Applicants residing in the Commonwealth of PA for the last two years prior to their application will complete and submit a Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) report, in compliance with Act 14, before the first day of class. An applicant who has not resided in the Commonwealth of PA for more than two full years, prior to the date of application, must complete and submit a PA CHRI and an FBI Report before the first day of class. Applicants can access the form at this link:  PA Criminal History Record Information (select "submit new record check"). Access more details and instructions to request the CHRI and FBI report at this link: Procuring an FBI Report. (If you have a PA Criminal History Record less than 12 months old, this can be submitted.) Upload form to secure upload.
• Health Examination Form:: A physical exam that is completed within one year of the start date of the training is required. Applicants must be free from communicable diseases and up to date with immunizations as required by Messiah Lifeways. The costs for the physical exam, TB test, and immunizations are the applicant’s responsibility. The health examination form must be completed and signed by MD, DO, NP or PA. The health examination form must include evidence that the applicant is free of communicable disease in a communicable state. Documentation of a negative 2-step Mantoux or negative QuantiFERON TB Gold test is required. A negative chest x-ray must be submitted if a student’s test results are positive. The chest x-ray may not be older than five years. The health examination form must be received before the first day of class. Click here for the Health Examination Form. Upload this completed form to secure upload.
• Communicable Diseases (TB Test): Documentation of a negative 2-step tuberculin test PPD or QuantiFERON TB Gold test is required and must be completed within one year prior to the start date of the course. Results of the TB test must be submitted prior to acceptance into the class. An existing employee of Messiah Lifeways must have documentation showing the original negative QuantiFERON TB Gold test or 2-step Mantoux and evidence of a yearly TB test or screening, per facility policy. A negative chest x-ray must be submitted if a student’s test results are positive. The chest x-ray may not be older than five years.
• Drug Screen: Documentation of a negative urine drug screen is required. This can be obtained through Concentra. Upload this documentation to secure upload.
• Immunizations: There are no required immunizations, however, nurse aide students are strongly encouraged to have an annual flu shot as well as COVID vaccine and Hepatitis B vaccine.

Tuition

Those who enroll in the Messiah University NATCEP who are already employees at Messiah Lifeways or enrolled as students at Messiah University (with an agreement to work for Messiah Lifeways) will receive full tuition paid for them ($1600). The tuition fee includes the NATCEP course and student workbook. Competency testing fees for the competency test through Credentia ($135) will be the responsibility of each student. Students will be required to create a Credentia account on the last day of the program and pay the competency testing fee by personal credit card. Students are also required to provide own uniform (see dress code).

Any NATCEP student who is not employed by Messiah Lifeways will be responsible for their own tuition payment and will be considered to be self-sponsored. Course tuition fees and competency fees may be paid by a sponsoring facility if the student is employed at a different agency than Messiah Lifeways. Credentia will issue a receipt to the student who pays for the State Competency Examination.  

Students are responsible for any costs incurred for transportation to and from Messiah Lifeways, the cost of the physical examination, all clearances, CPR training, and uniforms. The NATCEP provides a workbook and a loaner textbook for every student.

Reimbursement

Students who pay their own tuition can be reimbursed for the training costs by their employer if they meet the following criteria:

• Student personally incurred training costs
• Student is employed within 12 months of successful completion of the NATCEP
• Student is employed by a nursing facility enrolled in Medicare and/or Medicaid
• Student provides the nursing facility with the original letter, which is provided to the student at the end of the program, signed and dated by the student. NOTE: It must be the original letter. A copy is not acceptable.
• Student must work 130 hours as a nurse aide for the nursing facility to receive half of the fee and another 130 hours to receive the balance.

If the tuition costs are paid by Messiah University or another sponsoring agency, the student is not eligible for reimbursement.

Refunds

For students who are self-sponsored, in order to receive a full refund, the student must notify the program coordinator at least 48 hours prior to the beginning of the course of his/her withdrawal. Fifty percent refund will be issued if a cancellation notice is made before the start of the second day of the program. No refund is available after the second day.

• Messiah offers nurse aide training at Messiah Lifeways.
• This 120-hour training program is intense with daily exams during a four-week period.
• Students are required to complete the full 120 hours and score at least 80% on each written exam to receive the certificate of completion.
• Please note that 100% attendance is required for the classroom and lab portion of the program. There are two make-up days (class and lab between days 9 and 10; clinical after day 17). If clinical time is missed, it must be made up on the clinical make-up day provided in the program calendar. If a student misses more than one clinical day, they will be required to defer to the next cohort of the NATCEP course. 
• Messiah recommends students study for 3.5 hours in the evening after a 7-hour class day.

Download this checklist to assist in securing and providing all the required documents to be eligible for admission to the Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program.

Purpose

The purpose of the Attendance Policy is to establish the instructor’s expectations for students’ attendance to the Messiah University NATCEP course in order to maintain compliance with Regulation Section §483.152 of OBRA and Section 3 of Act 14.

• Attendance is mandatory. All students must complete the entire amount of approved program hours. This includes all classroom, laboratory, and clinical time.
• In compliance with Regulation Section §483.152 of OBRA and Section 3 of Act 14, a student must complete a minimum of 16 hours in instruction in the five content areas as listed below any resident contact. Therefore, if a student is tardy or absent on a day when the following content is taught, they may be asked to re-enroll in a future class. The Program Coordinator will determine if the student will be permitted to attend a future class. The five content areas are as follows
  • Communication and interpersonal skills
  • Infection control
  • Safety/emergency procedures, including abdominal thrust
  • Promotion of resident’s independence
  • Respecting resident’s rights
• There are two make-up days (class and lab between days 9 and 10; clinical after day 17). If clinical time is missed, it must be made up on the clinical make-up day provided in the program calendar. If a student misses more than one clinical day, they will be required to defer to the next cohort of the NATCEP course.
• Attendance will be monitored and documented by the Instructor on a daily basis in a written log and will reflect the number of classroom/lab/clinical hours, class for class, lab for lab, clinical for clinical time. Students must complete all of the approved program hours, class for class, lab for lab and clinical for clinical time.
• If a student will be absent for any reason on any day, it must be reported to the instructor at mblackston@messiah.edu, before the start of the class/clinical day.

Additional considerations related to attendance:

• Attendance is validated by the use of a clock in the classroom. Students must be in their seat and ready to begin class by the set time in accordance with the program calendar. Additionally, attendance is also determined by the timely return to class or clinical after breaks and lunch. A second instance of being late to class or clinical results in dismissal from the program.
• Failure to return to the classroom or clinical on time after a break or lunch is called being tardy. The first offense of tardiness will receive a verbal warning. The second offense will receive a written warning. The third offense could result in termination from the course.

Purpose

The purpose of the Dress Code Policy is to set forth the requirements for nurse aide student uniform standards while attending the Messiah University NATCEP.

All participants in the Messiah University NATCEP are required to abide by this dress code policy. The instructor determines compliance with this dress code. Modesty and appropriateness in dress and appearance is very important in showing respect toward the residents and clients we serve. The RN Instructor has the right to enforce dress and personal grooming codes for all NATCEP students. Failure to comply with this policy may result in disciplinary action or dismissal from the NATCEP.

Uniform

• Solid navy blue uniform scrub pants and top must be worn every day. Pants must be full length (no capri pants). Clothing that is dirty, has holes, or needs to be repaired is not permitted. Scrubs should be laundered daily. A clean uniform must be worn each day. Uniform must be wrinkle free.
• Solid uniform shoes or leather/vinyl white or black athletic shoes are required. Shoes must be clean and slip resistant with clean laces. No backless shoes, Crocsâ, boots, flip-flops, sandals, slippers, pumps, high-heels, hiking shoes, or hi-tops allowed. Socks can be white, navy or black and should be knee-high or calf length. No poms-poms or bows on socks.
• Uniform jackets, lab jackets, sweaters and hoodies are not permitted. Long sleeve blue or white shirts under scrubs is permitted.
• No hats, bandanas, or do-rags are permitted.
• Students must wear a watch with a second hand. Students are not to be wearing AirPods, earbuds, headphones, etc. when in classroom, lab, or clinical.
• Clothing should be worn and fit in such a manner that it does not expose the abdomen, chest, or buttocks areas. Undergarments should not be visible and should blend, not contrast, with outer attire.
• A name tag will be provided and must be worn so that it is visibly present to the public while in classroom, lab, and clinical training.

Jewelry

• Jewelry is limited for safety and infection control reasons.
• Only one (1) plain band ring on one hand is permitted.
• Any color small post-type earrings are permitted, only two pairs per ear.
• Religious medals must be pinned inside the uniform and must not be visible
• No bracelets or necklaces are permitted.
•  No visible body rings at all, including tongue, navel, nose, etc. are permitted. Gauges must be removed or covered.
• No Apple watches are permitted.

General Grooming

Students are required to maintain personal body cleanliness, hygiene, and good grooming. This includes trimmed fingernails that allow for acceptable performance of job functions. Tattoos may be acceptable as long as the tattoos are not excessive or offensive to Messiah Lifeways residents and employees.

Personal Hygiene

• Bathe or shower with soap and water daily
• Use deodorant or antiperspirant (subdued scent)
• Brush teeth before coming to class
• No chewing gum at any time in class, clinical, and lab
• No strong perfumes or aftershave
• No excessive make up
• Hair must be clean and well-groomed. Hair must be off the collar and secured back away from the face. Must be secured so as not to move freely with head movement. (e.g., secured with hair band, hair ties)

Facial Hair (men)

• Shave daily or maintain neatly trimmed beards, sideburns, or mustaches

Fingernails

• Fingernails must be clean and trimmed; not more than 1/8” beyond fingertips
• No acrylic nails are permitted.
• Nail polish is permitted. 

Students successfully completing this program will receive a certificate from Messiah University and will be eligible to take the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) written exam and skills test.

Messiah's NATCEP program will be 120 Hours of which 40 hours are classroom, 25 hours are lab, and 55 hours are clinical hours. The last week is the final course written exam, mock testing, registering the NATCEP graduates with the DOE and Credentia, Mock skills and Mock written exam, and finally the certificate ceremony. 

Credentia provides the national NA testing (written and skill). Credentia also provides practice or mock skill and written testing as well. So, Messiah's NATCEP program is using Credentia for skills learning and mock testing.

NATCEP Testing through Credentia is $135 for both the written and skills tests. Cost is the responsibility of the student.

Nurse aides (nursing assistants, direct care workers) perform various duties under the supervision of a nurse.

Summary of Duties

• Render care and assist clients who are unable to care for themselves
• Measure and record vital signs
• Assist clients with bathing, dressing, feeding, and toileting
• Care for clients with urinary catheters
• Render range of motion exercises
• Transport clients in wheelchairs
• Change bed linens
• Render infection control and safety awareness
• Render post-mortem care

In accordance with state and federal laws, participation in the Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program is governed and administered on individual achievement and mastery of program competencies. Participants will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability although some disabilities may preclude a person from being able to perform essential functions of the job. Inquiries should be directed to mblackston@messiah.edu or at Messiah University, One University Avenue, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055.

This nondiscrimination policy supports Title VI of the Civil Right Act of 1964, Title IX of the 1972

Educational Amendments and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.